First flexible, printed timer to debut at Printed Electronics Europe in Berlin

A consortium of partners will launch the world's first flexible timer based on printed electronics at the IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe event in Berlin on April 1-2.

The device consists of an electronic logic circuit implemented with thin-film metal oxide transistors, powered by a printed battery, and integrated onto a paper substrate. It has four timing sequences and is designed for multi-functional use across four different applications.

Raghu Das, CEO, of technology scouting and events firm IDTechEx, says, "We set out to create an integrated, fully functional device that has strong value and need. Involving end-user P&G provided valuable insight into consumer requirements, which resulted in specifying and delivering the world's first flexible multi-use timer based on commercially available printed electronics. A timer is one of the basic building blocks that will enable many different products in a modular approach. To reflect that, timers were created for different applications to demonstrate the wide applicability of the device."

Four different application sets were created: a workout timer, a cooking timer, a meeting timer and a children activity timer. Each has four individually controlled timing options, activated by bending or "dog-earing" one of the corners of the paper substrate. The initial production demonstrates how new applications of electronics in novel form factors can be enabled by printed electronics. Follow-on manufacturing is already planned for later this year, including enhancements to the functionality and even greater integration of the printed electronics.

Conference attendees to Printed Electronics Europe on 1-2 April in Berlin (www.IDTechEx.com/PEeurope) will have the chance to receive the timer on a first-come, first-serve basis, after visiting the companies involved in the project in the tradeshow. Blue Spark will be present throughout the tradeshow at booth D04. IDTechEx will be speaking at the event opening and will be present throughout the tradeshow at booth E08. NovaCentrix will be speaking in the conference at 12:05 PM on Wednesday, April 2, and will be present throughout the tradeshow at Booth A04. PragmatIC will be speaking in the conference at 09:50 AM on Wednesday, April 2.

The conference and tradeshow brings together end users with suppliers - where "pull" and "push" balance - to provide attendees with that critical insight into the driving needs for the technology, in addition to appraisal of all the key enabling materials, components and manufacturing processes. Leading end users exploring printed electronics, such as Hasbro, Diageo, Electrolux, Boeing, De La Rue, Abbott Diagnostics, Decathlon and Stora Enso, will present their needs and programs.